ScorpioN

ScorpioN is now accepting questions! Submit here: thescorpion@megadeth.com. Before you ask a question, read the SCORPION ARCHIVES and make sure that your question has not already been answered! ScorpioN may not be able to answer every question asked. Please only submit one question per email in an easy to read format. Check back here to www.megadeth.com/scorpion often to see if your question was selected! ScorpioN section is updated every Monday.

11/29/2016

Hello Scorpion,

My name is Andrej and I am from Serbia.
I have a question.
Where can I find the album "Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good" which has been remastered like the others, I mean if it has been? I have every single Megadeth album but I can't seem to find this one.

Hello Scorpion,
I am just really curious about something. The album cover "The World Needs A Hero" has a person on it as part of the cover art. I was wondering who that person is? Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Chase.

Hello Chase, that person is none other than Dave Mustaine.

-ScorpioN

08/25/2016

Hey I recently purchased a vintage Megadeth Tshirt from a guy online who assured me it was from 1993. At the bottom of the artwork on the front of the shirt it even says "93' Repka" which suggests the shirt was made in 1993 as promised and also designed by Ed Repka but on the back of the tshirt is something bizarre, it says the words "DR VIC IS IN" which makes no sense to me what so ever. I was wondering if you can find out if this is a fake tshirt, a mistake or generally tell me what it means.

(My Friends keep saying it must be fake and it's making me feel abit uncomfortable because I really wanted a retro Megadeth tshirt)

The "Dr. Vic Is In" t-shirt was sold back in 1993, while Ed Repka was still doing artwork for Megadeth. "Dr. Vic Is In" would be the title of the picture (a take on an old American medical symbol, the Caduceus), as all of Repka's old artwork for Megadeth had titles, e.g. "Peace Sells", "Oxidation Of The Nations", "Hangar 18", etc.

Lately there have been bootleg reproductions of old Megadeth shirts sold online and in shops, so to tell if yours is official, check the tag for the Brockum merchandise label. Other clues would be size and coloring- many of the reproduction shirts have very contrasted colors, and the sizing is smaller. A size large shirt made in 1993 would be a lot bigger than a size large made in the last few years, since the style of t-shirts runs more fitted these days. Hope this helps!

-ScorpioN

07/25/2016

Hello, My name is Cesar and I'm from Monterrey, Mexico.

This is my question:
In the album (CD) Rude Awakening is 24 songs, but in some internet pages and Youtube I saw that in japanese versions including 2 more:
Prince Of Darkness & Peace Sells Medley

Is this true? And if it is I have 2 more questions:
Why you only put that songs in japanese version? And..
Which is the correct order of the songs (in the album) including Prince of Darkness & Peace Sells Medley?

Well is a 3rd question...
How can I download this songs?

Thank you.

Hi Cesar,

Japanese releases often get extra songs due to the high cost of albums there, and the ability to purchase imported versions cheaper. Bonus songs are therefore an incentive for people in Japan to buy the Japanese versions. However, the Japanese version of Rude Awakening contains the same 24 tracks as the U.S. version.

-ScorpioN

06/20/2016

Dear Scorpion

I recently picked up a copy of Dystopia and absolutely love it.

My question regards the cover art. There's a bridge that Vic is standing before and and I'm curious if it is based off the Sydney harbour bridge?

Thank you very much
Chris
Brisbane, Australia

Hi Chris, you are correct! See below. ;)

-ScorpioN

06/06/2016

Hello Scorpion,

I was looking through the pictures on Pledge Music and saw some very cool guitar stands that Dave had for his VMNTs. I was wondering if you could tell me the make and model of the stand. I love how they hold the VMNT straight up and keep the edges well above the ground and they seem to work well for Kiko's guitars as well. I've been having a hard time finding a good stand for my VMNT and would love to get the same kind that Dave uses. Would appreciate your help.

Thank you

Jed :)

P.S. I've attached a few pics from the Pledge Music in case you're wondering which stands I'm referring to.

Hi Jed,

The stands you are enquiring about are Hercules Stands - GS414B Hanging Guitar Stand. Dave Mustaine officially endorses Hercules Stands and these work perfectly for his VMNTs! You can check this model out at herculesstands.com

-ScorpioN

05/16/2016

ScorpioN,

I have ran across a Megadeth track off the ECW: Extreme Music featuring the song "Trust" as a different instrumental version. Could you please tell me how this track was born in this version?

Brett
Manheim PA, USA

Hi Brett,

Extreme Championship Wrestling was a division of professional wrestling from 1994-2001, which aired on the TNN network in the U.S. The 1998 album ECW: Extreme Music featured different ECW wrestlers choosing a theme song, many of which were metal covers done by established bands such as Motörhead and Anthrax. The wrestler Jerry Lynn was featured with the instrumental version of "Trust", from Megadeth's Cryptic Sounds EP, proclaiming, "the only thing harder than Megadeth is beating me in the ring".

-ScorpioN

05/09/2016

I am just an amateur. I've had dozens of guitars. My favorite to play is the esp Ltd dv8r. The neck on this guitar feels like it was practically made for me. Can you tell me how the neck dimensions on your dean's compare? Are the cheaper Dean Mustaine models equipped with the same neck?

Thank you
Gordon

Hi Gordon,

Well I'm not sure how Dave's Dean guitars compare to ESP in regards to the neck, but I will give you some neck specs on his guitars and you can do the comparison.

Is there any possibility of a Cryptic Writings reissue on vinyl? It is such a good record that needs to be reissued! Thank you!

-Josh Holmes (SC)=

Hi Josh, Cryptic Writings is not available on vinyl at this time there are no plans to release it on vinyl. Not saying that it will never happen, you never know! I agree with you, it's such a great album. Did you check out megadeth.com news recently? We are offering a six-picture disc vinyl bundle which includes; Youthanasia, So Far, So Good... So What!, Rust In Peace, Peace Sells, Countdown To Extinction and Dystopia! Quite a bundle. Check it out at smarturl.it/MegadethUMV

03/28/2016

Hi ScorpioN !

I have a few questions for you.
I wanna know if the VIP Package would be available in Chile (August 2) and if its available it has an stock?
And the other question is.. Megadeth will come alone or with another band? you know, something like a special guest :)

Thats all, thank you so much !

Beatriz from Chile.

Hello Beatriz,

VIP packages are indeed available for the show at Teatro Caupolicán in Santiago, Chile on August 2, as well as the majority of the rest of the South American tour. You can go to megadeth.com/tour to order your VIP package!

A support band hasn't been announced yet for Santiago, but I'm sure it will be a good one and the concert should be epic with Megadeth headlining the show! You won't want to miss it ...and definitely pick yourself up a VIP package! ;)

-ScorpioN

02/23/2016

Hi Scorpion I hope you’re doing great!

I’m a big fan of Megadeth and I’m totally in love with the new album, specially the instrumental song “Conquer or Die!” but I really want I want to know what is the line at the end of the song I think is Latin or something similar.

Thanks Scorpion and take care!

Alejandro

Hi Alejandro,

You are correct, it is Latin from the Biblical Verse: 2 Timothy 3:2. Spoken on the album by USM Latin Professor, Dr. Miles Doleac ...with some studio effects. ;)

"For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy."

-ScorpioN

01/26/2016

Hi!

This would be for Dave since this about his guitars.

I know there is available multiple VMNT guitars with several album paint jobs. I have previously owned Angel of Deth, but i sold it because it felt little bit fragile and maybe cheap "mahogany shouldn't be that light imo".

I have since started to think that i would get "Rust in Peace" since it´s my favorite album. Then i started thinking that anyone can get one so that particular guitar wouldn't feel unique. Then once i was listening "The Threat is Real" and it hit me: i must get "Dystopia" guitar!

Does Dean have any plans to start producing them? Cause i can't afford custom one.

Come here soon!
Niko from Finland

Hello Niko!

You are in luck. Dean just released a new model, the 'Zero Dave Mustaine - Dystopia' guitar.

From the Dean Guitars website:

"A must-have for any true Megadeth fan! This guitar features a solid Mahogany body and neck with a stunning Rosewood fingerboard. The DMT Design pickups scream heavy-metal-shred while the contours of the guitar give easy, comfortable access to all 24 frets! This axe also comes with a bold, custom Dystopia graphic to melt your eyes as well as your ears! Get your wings today!"

Is Megadeth going to play live in San Juan Puerto Rico on April 28 2016?

Sebastian

Hi Sebastian, Megadeth will be playing at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in Perto Rico on April 28 with Anthrax! For upcoming Dystopia World Tour dates, check megadeth.com/tour.

-ScorpioN

01/04/2016

Hey Scorps,

Got a question for the lord and saviour for all metal bass players: David Ellefson

Back in the KIMB era David played with his fingers (I'm a finger style player as well) and I realy enjoy playing that stuff, what brand of strings did Mr Ellefson use back then (if he played with fingers or pick) I trayed a lot of strings before and attempting to play with pick and fingers.
I found out that DRs are to heavy for finger play and Rotosound not durable enough for pick.

So would be awesome to know what brand David used to play.

Grtz

W. Baeten

Hi W.B.

David used Rotosound Swing Bass sets back in those days: He eventually switched to Dean Markley and to D'Addario in the 90s and has now settled on SIT Strings Powerwound since 2010 due to the punch and clarity.

-ScorpioN

12/21/2015

ScorpioN,

I discovered Megadeth shortly after So Far, So Good... So What! Since then I've been to dozens of live shows. Particularly during the 90s and early 2000s many of the shows opened with spoken audio directed at the audience as if we were living in an Orwellian state (similar to the opening for Endgame). Sometimes the tracks had music and sound effects as well.

As a fan of dystopian fiction I've always been fascinated by them. I've long wondered where they came from. Can you tell me anything about them?

Thanks,

Joel Steverson
Lakewood, Colorado, USA

Hello Joel,

The intro music you are referring to is called "Shut Up, Be Happy".

This is actually the opening track on Ice T's third album, The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech...Just Watch What You Say! The music in the background of the song is Black Sabbath's "Black Sabbath" and the voice you hear delivering the spoken word is Jello Biafra, the singer of the Dead Kennedys, who is a self-proclaimed anarchist and member of the Green Party. Here are the lyrics, reprinted courtesy of Sire Records:

We interrupt this program with a special bulletin:
America is now under martial law.
All constitutional rights have been suspended.
Stay in your homes.
Do not attempt to contact love ones, insurance agent or attorney.
Shut up.
Do not attempt to think or depression may occur.
Stay in your homes.
Curfew is at 7 PM sharp after work.
Anyone caught outside of gates of their surveillance sectors after curfew will be shot.
Remain calm, do not panic.
Your neighborhood watch officer will be by to collect urine examples in the morning.
Anyone caught interfering with the collection of urine examples will be shot.
Stay in your homes, remain calm.
The number one enemy of progress is questions.
National security is more important than individual will.
All sports broadcasts will proceed as normal.
No more than two people may gather anywhere without permission.
Use only the drugs described by your boss or supervisor.
Shut up, be happy.
Obey all orders without question.
The comfort you demanded is now mandatory.
Be happy.
At last everything is done for you

-ScorpioN

11/30/2015

Scorpion, I was on iTunes and I saw that Dystopia contains tracks that are not on the physical version of the album. Will these be released as deluxe edition in the future or on the release date? -- Rick

Hi Rick,

The standard CD will contain 11 songs. There's an exclusive version at iTunes and Best Buy that will have 13 songs. Album release date, January 22, 2016!

-ScorpioN

11/23/2015

Scorpion,

There really isn't much information on Dave's pre-Metallica band Panic. Could we have a little information on the band such as whether or not any recordings/demos will surface or how the band broke up, or what the band sounded like?

I asked Dave about his first band Panic, and here is what he had to say:

"Panic was my first real band  Drummer Mike Leftwych, Bass Bob Evans, Guitar Tom Queck, Singer Pat Voeks, and I Dave Mustaine was lead guitar.
And although I had gotten together and played with various other friends and acquaintances, Panic would be my first band that I actually performed anything under. Songs like, The Mechanix, Jump In The Fire, Childsaint, and several other riffs that made it into the Metallica or Megadeth fields.

The band was a five piece and we hardly ever played or rehearsed toward the end. We just went to parties, set-up and shredded, and by the time people knew what hit them, we were already packing it back up or we had taken over the place. One of the low lights for Panic was the first show ended in tragedy with a car crash resulting in the deaths of both of my friends, sound man Joe (it has been so long I have forgotten his last name), and drummer Mike Leftwych.

There were never any tapes made that I know of, certainly no demo tapes made up. But you never know, they could have had a bootlegger there from before.

This was my first and only amateur band. My next two bands, Megadeth and Metallica, would sell almost 100,000,000 records worldwide."

-ScorpioN

11/02/2015

On the album The System Has Failed, can you tell us more about the musicians?

Yes, I can tell you more about the musicians who played on The System Has Failed. In addition to Dave Mustaine, the other musicians are Vinnie Colaiuta - Drums, Jimmy Lee Sloas - Bass, and Chris Poland - Guitars. Vinnie Colaiuta's resume includes the renowned Frank Zappa. In addition to being amazing at the bass, Jimmy Lee Sloas is also a talented Producer and Song Writer. Chris Poland (unless you have been living under a rock, that is a name that most of you should recognize), is a former member of Megadeth and his previous Megadeth credits include Killing is My Business...and Business is Good! and Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?

09/15/2015

Hi, I am turning 14, I play bass and I really want to know what would be a good distortion overdrive pedal.

Hello, David Ellefson recommends the MXR bass distortion pedals.

-ScorpioN

09/07/2015

Hey ScorpioN, Megadeth has been my favorite band for a long time and I've always loved the song "Mary Jane" off the album "So Far, So Good...So What!" And I'm curious as to what the meaning of the song is. I've heard it's about a girl practicing black magic, but I've also heard it pertains to marijuana. Thanks a lot ScorpioN!

Hello,

Legend has it that Mary Jane Twilliger was a young witch buried alive by her father in the nearby Loon Lake, MN cemetery. The mystery surrounding her grew to such legendary proportions over the years that it was rumored anyone who dared violate her grave in any was was doomed to a certain and immediate death. There were even stories of deadly car crashes involving people who got drunk and caused mayhem on her grave, thinking it was all harmless fun.

The Jackson County Historical Society relocated the headstone from her grave to its museum located in the nearby town of Lakefield, MN. Check out a photo of David Ellefson with Mary Jane's headstone below. Her headstone’s epitaph was the inspiration to the bridge section lyric of the song.

"Beware my friends, as you pass by
So you are now, so once was I
As I am now, so you must be
Prepare my friends to follow me"

-ScorpioN

08/31/2015

Scorpion,

The other day I was just staring at the front of my Copy of Rust In Peace, and noticed, the two guys sitting to Vic's left are Mikhail Gorbachev and George H.W. Bush, but I have no idea who the other three guys in the hangar are.

You are indeed correct about the two gentlemen at Vic Rattlehead's left being Gorbachev and Bush. And to answer your question, to the right of Mr. Rattlehead in the Hangar, we have Richard von Weizsäcker, Toshiki Kaifu and John Major. Dr. von Weizsäcker was the president of Germany during the timeframe when Rust in Peace was released in 1990. Likewise, Toshiki Kaifu was Prime Minister of Japan at the time, albeit for only a very short-lived time. And John Major was Prime Minister of the UK and leader of the British conservative party. Collectively, these five world leaders represent the five so-called "Superpowers" of the world during the early 1990s.

-ScorpioN

07/20/2015

Hi Scorpion, I have a question that I don’t think has been asked on here before…

I found that a split 7” of Megadeth and a Ska-Punk band called Less than Jake exists, with Megadeth’s “The Disintegrators” on one side, and a song by Less Than Jake called “All My Best Friends Are Metalheads” on the other. Is it a bootleg or something? I just find it kind of funny to have Megadeth doing a split record with a Ska band!

Thanks for your time..

Cody Stanley

Hi Cody,

The Megadeth/Less Than Jake split 7" is not a bootleg, it is an official release that was sold during the Ozzfest '98 tour, which featured Megadeth, and the Warped Tour '99, which featured Less Than Jake. The two bands were labelmates at Capitol Records at the time.

Thanks for your question!

-ScorpioN

07/06/2015

Dear ScorpioN

I was flicking through channels when I saw an episode of Duck Dodgers that was starring Dave Mustaine! Did someone fake Dave's voice or is that actually Dave's voice?

Brendan

Hello Brendan,

No, you were not just hearing things. That was indeed the voice of Dave Mustaine, starring as himself. The episode of Duck Dodgers you are referring to is called "In Space, No-one Can Hear You Rock/Ridealong Calamity". It originally aired Saturday, November 5, 2005 on the Cartoon/Boomerang Network. In this episode, the Martians create a weapon to drain energy from Earth's music and use its atomic power to destroy the Earth. Dodgers unfreezes Dave to play enough heavy metal to overload the device. Megaduck rules! Now I've always known Dave was a rock star, but to save the planet as well? My hat is off to you sir!

Duck Dodgers was not Mustaine's only television appearance. He has also been featured on Rock N Roll Jeopardy!,The Drew Carrey Show, Black Scorpion, Behind the Music, I Love the 80s, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Top Ten, Headbanger's Ball, CNN, and several others. Seems he's had quite the TV career!

-ScorpioN

06/23/2015

Dear ScorpioN,

Are there any plans for a 30th anniversary of the "Killing Is My Business...and Business Is Good!" album celebration, like a tour or probably another remaster of the album? I'd like to know.

Many Thanks,
Valentin, Bulgaria

Hello Valentin, just today in fact, Dave Mustaine made a Tweet giving a clue. See below!

I have been working with mixer @MarkLewis720 on a special #KIMB 30th anniversary project. Details soon.

Hello Megadeth! I was just wondering what I should practice as an electric guitarist, songs, scale, and arpeggios. I'm turning 15 June 3rd, so I'm not a god at guitar just want some song suggestions for intermediate players. Thank You! I will be purchasing your new album!

Mark

Hello Mark,

Great question and happy to hear you have so much interest in playing the guitar. I went right to Mr. Dave Mustaine himself with your question. here is what he had to say:

"Pick your influences, be careful of the tab that is out there, because most of it is crap, and ask a lot of questions. -Dave Mustaine"

Hope that helps! Keep up the great work!

-ScorpioN

06/01/2015

Hi ScorpioN,

While listening brilliant track "Go To Hell' I've started to wonder who the female voice in the beginning of the song belongs to.
Could you tell me this information please? :)

Thanks!

Alex from Russia

Hi Alex,

The female voice on the track "Go To Hell" is that of David Ellefson's wife. Her maiden name was Julie Foley at the time and that would be her credit on the recording.

Dave Mustaine asked her to do it and was recorded at The Enterprise Studios in Burbank in 1991 for the film soundtrack "Bill and Ted Go To Hell" but was later retitled "Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey".

Ironically, this song released within only a few weeks of Metallica's "Enter Sandman" that contained the same prayer! Neither Megadeth or Metallica knew each other was recording it.

-ScorpioN

05/26/2015

Hi!

I really love the song "1000 Times Goodbye" from The World Needs a Hero album, and I've been wondering for a long time who is the female voice in it?

Thanks,

Mikaela

Hi Mikaela,

Her name is Heather Keckler, and she was my predecessor in this Q & A section. She worked on megadeth.com for many years as a columnist under different monikers such as "Miss Megadeth" during the Cryptic Writings era, "Catnip" around the time Risk was released, and ultimately she was the "She-Wolf" Q & A columnist, which eventually became my column, the ScorpioN.

-ScorpioN

05/18/2015

Hey ScorpioN

Vic Rattlehead is the greatest mascot of all time in my opinion, but what is he holding on the Rust in Peace cover? It really stands out on my signature VMNT!

Kyle

Hi Kyle, this question had already been answered in a previous ScorpioN column. I will gladly repost.

"Rust In Peace is my second favorite album, next to The System Has Failed, of course. Band artwork is always fascinating to me, so I was happy to pass along your question.
Dave said, "It’s a McDonald’s cheeseburger from 1961. Not really, I think it is supposed to be like Kryptonite."

So I guess that means that Vic Rattlehead isn't Superman..."

-ScorpioN

05/11/2015

Dear ScorpioN,

I am a bass player from Edmonton Alberta, Canada, and David Ellefson is one of my favorite players of all time! He is who inspired me to get a Jackson bass because I love the tone of his bass in all the Megadeth albums. My question is this:

How exactly does David achieve his tone? It's really "tinny", really bright and really punchy, but it still has that warm sound to it.

Thank you in advance for answering this!

-Kristian

Hello Kristian, I have an answer for you right from David Ellefson himself.

"Thank you Kristian and glad you're liking what you hear! My tone has evolved over the years but I do try and maintain that tight low end while having that "bite" on the top end to cut through the drums. The Jackson basses with SIT Strings Nickel Powerwound strings, medium heavy Jim Dunlop Tortex plectrums and Hartke amplification certainly help but it is also in how I attack the strings and anchor my hand on the bridge to control the string's performance. You can probably see this more clearly on my Rockhouse Method instructional DVDs and even You Tube videos of live Megadeth performances, too.

I hope this helps and I hope you enjoy your Jackson bass!"

-ScorpioN

05/04/2015

Hello ScorpioN,

Is there an official list of all the songs Megadeth has covered?

Thanks,
Dallas Durbin
Minnesota

Hello Dallas, you can check out the official list of every song Megadeth has ever put out on a Megadeth album, originals and covers, at megadeth.com/lyrics.